Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse (right) is assisted by the Oofu Wulomo at the Jenten sprinkling ceremony
The Wor-Lumor Konor Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru, Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse and Overlord of the Gadangme State on Sunday, April 30 performed this year’s Jenten Nishwamo (Sprinkling at the Centre of the World) ceremony to signify the start of Homowo celebrations by the Gadangme people.
The Jenten Nishwamo rite is performed at Nungua. It is done to feed the gods with the Ga traditional dish of kpokpoi before the actual Homowo festival so that the kpokpoi feast during the festival would be solely for humans devoid of interest of the gods.
Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, Oyibi Gonteng Mantse, speaking at the sprinkling ceremony, said it was a custom that had been upheld for over 800 years.
He pointed out that it happens at Nungua because that is where the Greenwich Meridian Rock which is known to be the centre of the world is located.
Prior to the start of the special sprinkling, elderly priestesses with the Oofu Wulomo sit in a demarcated area which represents the Gborbu Grove. No one is allowed in there except with the permission of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse.
Persons preparing the dish for sprinkling are barred from talking. They are only allowed to use sign language. The Oofu Wulomo then carries the dish in his arms for the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse to sprinkle at the temples of the gods of Nungua.
Nuumo Botwe Atiakpeh, Osabu Wulomo stated at the ceremony that though some people tag the Jenten Nishwamo and other Homowo-related rites as heathen practices, it was their way of entrenching their cultural identity and would always do it.
“If we let go of our customs and traditions, we lose our identity. We do these things to point ourselves out as Gadangmes. Our ancestors did it and it is our turn now to get involved and carry it forward,” the Osabu Wulomo said.
He urged non-indigenes living in places that mark Homowo to abide by regulations that surround the celebration to ensure peace for all. He cited observance of the ban on noise-making as something that often create unnecessary tension among people and which should be avoided.
Several activities, including purification of the town by the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, ban on noise-making, feasting on traditional kpokpoi food, performance of the Obene dance and exchange of greetings, reconciliations and concerts have been scheduled between now and mid-July for the celebration of Homowo at Nungua.
By George Clifford Owusu